Secretariat's Saddle
Owner
Ron Turcotte
(Canadian, born 1941)
Subject
Secretariat
(1970 - 1989)
Date1972
ClassificationsPop Culture
DimensionsOverall: 14 x 12 x 16 1/2 in. (35.6 x 30.5 x 41.9 cm)
DescriptionA custom-made saddle owned and used by jockey Ron Turcotte aboard Secretariat. The hand-crafted leather saddle features a series of pockets that allowed for the even distribution of the lead handicap weights. It was made Kentucky just prior to the 1972 Bluegrass Stakes. The saddle, which the Hall of Fame jockey calls his "Big Race" saddle, was designed specifically to carry the heavier weights assigned in Stakes races. In addition to being worn while riding Secretariat in the 1973 Triple Crown, the saddle was worn throughout the champion’s 1972 and 1973 racing season including the Sanford Stakes, Belmont Futurity, Champagne Stakes, Laurel Futurity Garden State Stakes, Bay Shore Stakes, Gotham Stakes, Wood Memorial, Arlington Invitational, Whitney Stakes, Marlboro Cup, Woodward Stakes, Man o’ War Stakes, and the Canadian International.
Turcotte also used this saddle riding Secretariat’s champion stablemate, Riva Ridge, when winning the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes among other races. Turcotte additionally wore this saddle: Annihilate ‘Em - 1973 Travers Stakes, Dahlia - 1974 Man o’ War Stakes, Key to the Mint - 1973 Excelsior Stakes, Summer Guest - 1972 Coaching Club American Oak, and others.
Turcotte and Secretariat used this saddle on the way to victory at the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes – completing the Triple Crown Trophy.
Secretariat set speed records in all three races, including the Churchill Downs and Belmont Stakes distance records that still stand. In the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat won by 31 lengths, the highest margin of victory in the race’s history.
3D Model
